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Fantasy football leagues are won on the waiver wire. Our waiver wire tools at Footballguys make it easy.
Every week, our Sigmund Bloom writes about every trending player in the NFL, moving players up and down based on what we’ve seen. For players who are mostly available in fantasy football leagues, he’ll provide an estimated amount of FAAB to bid on the waiver wire.
These waiver wire tips are essential in winning your fantasy football league. In this article, we’ll highlight a handful of noteworthy players. But for deeper leagues and more waiver wire additions, check out our full Upgrade and Downgrades feature.
Check out some in-depth explanations on these waiver wire pickups courtesy of Sigmund Bloom and Cecil Lammey on a new episode of The Audible.
Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
QB Kirk Cousins, Atlanta (bid 15-30%)
The visions of a souped-up Falcons pass offense with Cousins at the helm were finally realized in Week 5 with some help from the Bucs pass defense. Cousins seems to be over the sluggishness he showed coming back from an Achilles tear early this season, and the Panthers are a terrific matchup for fantasy in Week 6. All systems go.
QB Daniel Jones, NY Giants (bid 10-20%)
The Giants offense seemed to find itself despite missing its top running back and wide receiver. Jones is playing within himself, and with a more robust running game and the eventual return of Malik Nabers, he could have sustained fantasy value. The matchup against the Bengals this week is very good for fantasy and perhaps even worth a spot in your lineup in 1QB leagues, assuming Nabers returns.
QB Drake Maye, New England (bid 3-5%)
Mike Reiss has covered the Patriots for a long time, and he seems to think the team may be moving towards starting Maye in Week 6. Maye offers more fantasy upside than Jacoby Brissett, but maybe not enough to be a hot pickup in 1QB leagues. In 2QB/Superflex, it's time to add him.
Waiver Wire Running Backs
RB Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville (bid 15-30%)
Bigsby scored twice from distance in Week 5. Once with speed and once by running over tacklers. He should force a true committee with Travis Etienne Jr., and he might be the more valuable part of it. Consider both back flex plays against the Bears across the pond in Week 6, pending the status of Etienne's shoulder injury.
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., NY Giants (bid 15-30%)
Tracy has the look of a future starter. Just how far in the future depends on what the Giants think of Devin Singletary. They certainly won't rush Singletary back after Tracy went over 100 yards in his debut as the lead back. It's possible that Tracy is so good that the team can't go back to Singletary despite paying him $9.5 million guaranteed in the offseason.
RB Rico Dowdle, Dallas (12-25%)
Dowdle's snap share didn't increase significantly, but he touched the ball most of the time he was in and ran efficiently, keeping the offense on schedule and scoring as a receiver for the second straight week. He is still only a flex play and will face a tough Lions run defense this week, so don't go crazy bidding for him on the wire.
RB Ty Chandler, Minnesota (bid 10-20%)
It's hard to know how severe Aaron Jones' hip injury is, but it was bad enough for him to leave the game. We probably won't get many answers during the bye, but we know that Jones hasn't been the most durable back and that Chandler is the clear backup. Chandler wasn't especially impressive against the Jets, but the whole offense struggled. Don't empty your wallet for him, but Chandler is a priority pickup despite the fact that he's heading into a bye.
RB Roschon Johnson, Chicago (bid 10-20%)
Johnson scored twice and appears to be the favored short-yardage back over D'Andre Swift. This is a good development as the Bears offense is coming into focus five weeks into Caleb Williams' pro career. Johnson also has significant Swift injury upside as Khalil Herbert seems to have fallen out of favor with the coaches.
Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis (bid 15-30%)
Downs is a very useful PPR wide receiver, getting easy targets in the short and intermediate zone a la Cooper Kupp. His target total goes way up with Joe Flacco, but he should still be a flex play when Anthony Richardson is back.
WR Jalen Tolbert, Dallas (bid 12-25%)
Brandin Cooks going to injured reserve freed up enough targets for Jalen Tolbert to take a step forward in terms of Dak Prescott's trust and usefulness for fantasy players. Tolbert has emerged as the #3 option in a pass-first offense, and teams will continue to focus on taking away CeeDee Lamb.
WR Alec Pierce, Indianapolis (bid 10-20%)
Pierce was barely getting targeted for most of the game, but he was still on the field over Adonai Mitchell most of the time, even though Mitchell was getting targets and even a pass attempt. Late in the fourth quarter, Pierce took over with three long catches, one of which went for a score and another of which was down at the one. Pierce is a true boom/bust play, but this offense loves the deep throw, which is where Pierce does his damage. He's a weekly what-the-heck flex who can win your week.
WR Rashod Bateman, Baltimore (bid 7-15%)
Bateman is going to have a low floor when the Ravens are favored, but when they get into shootouts like they did with Joe Burrow - and their pass defense could do more than a few times going forward - Bateman will have flex value. He is a downfield threat and looking like a bargain for the team after signing a two-year extension worth about $13 million.
Waiver Wire Tight Ends
TE Tyler Conklin, NY Jets (bid 12-25%)
Conklin has had two good games in the last three, and the one dud was played in sloppy conditions. He'll be a what-the-heck tight end play against the Bills, and if he makes it 3 of 4 good games, we'll consider him a low-end TE1 going forward.
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